Dog Teething
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Dog teething can be a nightmare for puppy owners, especially if its your first dog. At this stage, puppies will pretty much eat up everything around the house, and this can be extremely dangerous for them. Dog teething generally begins when they are around five months old, and can go on till after they are a year old. It is absolutely essential to set some ground rules for your puppy to ensure that this phase is not damaging to either you or your pup. When you take up pups in this stage, understanding that dog teething can sometimes be painful for them is vital. Continuing basic dog training while following the below mentioned steps is a great way to ensure that your dog becomes more attentive to your actions.
To begin with, try and confine your pup in a safe zone, this is a good way to make sure that you can go out of the house carefree about the dog’s safety as well as that of your belongings. Though it might sound cruel to some people, dog teething is a strenuous time for the pups as well, so confining them actually allows them to chew away, but at only things that are safe for them.
Secondly, load up on chew toys, a variety of which you will find in any pet store. Chew toys with high calcium content are good for the pups, and also make sure to tell the shop owner the size of your dog, as a Saint Bernard pup will not last long with a toy meant for a Pug. As they grow older, pups generally get through chew toys faster, so always keep them well stocked.
A very important aspect that you should keep in mind during dog teething periods is to make sure the pup knows which items are his and which are not. Make sure that only chewing through chew toys is allowed, and anytime you find your pup chewing up your shoe or your favorite book, immediately recover it from him and make sure you say “No” and shake your head. Now hand him his own toy and allow him to chew on it, follow it up with a pat on the head. This should be repeated every time he chews on something he is not supposed to. Eventually the dog will learn the difference and automatically head for his toys.
Even though the situation can easily get out of hand, dog teething is really not that hard a stage. You will need to keep your eyes open, and ensure that no rules are flouted. Using force or beating up the dog may backfire, as some aggressive pups will tear up your things once you are not looking. So use patience and perseverance while dealing with the dog teething phase.
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To begin with, try and confine your pup in a safe zone, this is a good way to make sure that you can go out of the house carefree about the dog’s safety as well as that of your belongings. Though it might sound cruel to some people, dog teething is a strenuous time for the pups as well, so confining them actually allows them to chew away, but at only things that are safe for them.
Secondly, load up on chew toys, a variety of which you will find in any pet store. Chew toys with high calcium content are good for the pups, and also make sure to tell the shop owner the size of your dog, as a Saint Bernard pup will not last long with a toy meant for a Pug. As they grow older, pups generally get through chew toys faster, so always keep them well stocked.
A very important aspect that you should keep in mind during dog teething periods is to make sure the pup knows which items are his and which are not. Make sure that only chewing through chew toys is allowed, and anytime you find your pup chewing up your shoe or your favorite book, immediately recover it from him and make sure you say “No” and shake your head. Now hand him his own toy and allow him to chew on it, follow it up with a pat on the head. This should be repeated every time he chews on something he is not supposed to. Eventually the dog will learn the difference and automatically head for his toys.
Even though the situation can easily get out of hand, dog teething is really not that hard a stage. You will need to keep your eyes open, and ensure that no rules are flouted. Using force or beating up the dog may backfire, as some aggressive pups will tear up your things once you are not looking. So use patience and perseverance while dealing with the dog teething phase.
<< Previous Dogs | Back to Dogs | Next >> Dog Training

